April 8

Deuteronomy 32:28-52, Luke 12:35-59, Psalm 78:56-64, Proverbs 12:24

Pray: CS Lewis gives an image of a proud person looking down on everyone. And one preoccupied with looking down proudly can never look up above himself or herself to see God who is bigger. It is in God’s presence in prayer that we learn humility. Ask God for a reverence of Him as you go to Him in prayer. This is the only effective way to grow in the often elusive virtue of humility.

Read: Prepare your heart for warning. Many times when we see a construction sign warning of a lane or road closure, we know it’s time to adapt our speed, possibly our plans, and to be as alert as possible. Consistently throughout today’s reading, God is communicating a warning and demanding a change in how we are living our lives. Be open to His warning!

Edify: We’re prone to see another weekday, another workday, another weekend as just another day to get through. However, Moses warns as his life is coming to a close that time is urgent, and we must focus on keeping the main thing the main thing. We cannot allow anything to steal our allegiance to God or even our attention, because the Bible consistently portrays time as urgent. You’re life, worship, and choices in the mundane day-to-day matters. Jesus reminds us that you are to live each day as if it is the day you could meet Him face to face. His coming is immediate, so how do you want to be found when He comes? Jesus says that our allegiance to Him may even be divisive, because He must always remain first in our hearts and minds. 

Practice: Work hard to become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. In what area of life are you trying to “get by” or “pull one over” on a family member, employer, or even God Himself? How has God warned you today through His Word? Make one decisive move to slow down or turn around from something that you would not want to be found doing when Jesus returns.